Introducing Xīshuāngbǎnnà Region

With its tropical forests, brilliant Dai cuisine and laid-back Southeast Asian feel, Xīshuāngbǎnnà (a Chinese approximation of the original Thai name, Sip Sawng Panna (12 Rice-Growing Districts) is one of the most exciting destinations in Yúnnán.

Just north of Myanmar and Laos, ‘Bǎnnà’ (as it is usually called) has become China’s own mini-Thailand, attracting tourists looking for sunshine and water-splashing festivals, hikers readying for epic jungle treks and pissed-off expats fleeing the congestion and commercialization of Kūnmíng.

But despite Bǎnnà’s popularity, it’s still easy to get away from the crowds and explore the countryside and nearby villages while watching the weeks slip away.